Hangzhou
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East China (华东) » Zhejiang (浙江) » Hangzhou (杭州)
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[edit] Overview
Hangzhou (杭州) was established more than 4,700 years ago, and is one of the seven ancient capitals and one of the top scenic, historical and cultural cities in China (中国). Hangzhou was once applauded by Marco Polo, the 13th-century Italian traveler, as "the most splendid and luxurious city in the world". There's also a popular saying that tells the charm of Hangzhou: "paradise in heaven, Hangzhou and Suzhou on earth" (上有天堂，下有苏杭).
Under the Hangzhou's jurisdiction are 8 districts, 3 county-level cities and 2 counties. Hangzhou covers a total area of 16,596 sq km and has a total population of 6.43 million with its city proper covering an area of 3,068 square kilometers with a population of 3.93 million.
Hangzhou's four pillar industries are food processing, machinery, electronic communications, and textile. Hangzhou attaches much importance to the construction of "Silicon Valley in Paradise" and the development of new and high technology industries, among which "the Information Port and New Pharmacy Port", Hangzhou Economic and Technological Development Zone, Hangzhou High-New Technological Industries Development Zone, and High Education Park are the backbones. In 2003 alone, Hangzhou has attracted foreign investment from 76 countries, and has exported more than USD 10.95 billion of goods, and imported goods in the amount of USD 7.28 billion.
Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport has been developing new international lines to connect with overseas airports and raise its reputation.
Hangzhou is the hometown of sweet osmanthus, and is rich of scented camphor trees. Hangzhou's city flower is Sweet Osmanthus (木樨), and city tree is camphor tree (香樟树). The West Lake is one of the five biggest sweet osmanthus watch places in China. Top attractions in Hangzhou include West Lake (西湖), Pagoda of the Six Harmonies (六和塔), Ling Yin Temple (灵隐寺), Wuzhen (乌镇).
[edit] History
Located in southeastern China, Hangzhou has enjoyed a 2,200-year history as a political center since being established as a county during the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC).
As one of the birthplaces of the Chinese civilization, Hangzhou had evidence of human activity as early as 8,000 years ago, as artifacts uncovered at the site of Kuahuqiao show.
One of seven ancient capitals of China, Hangzhou served as the capital of both the Wuyue Kingdom (907-978) of the Five Dynasties and the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279). The 13th century Italian traveler, Marco Polo, called Hangzhou "the finest and most splendid city in the world."
Originally called Qiantang, the county was converted to Hangzhou District during the reign of Kaihuang in the Sui Dynasty (581-618). It was then that the name "Hangzhou" appeared for the first time in literature.
During the Southern Song Dynasty, Emperor Gaozong (1107-1187) moved the capital southwards from Kaifeng to Hangzhou, renaming it Lin'an Prefecture. In 1138, Lin'an officially became the capital of the Southern Song Dynasty. It remained the capital for more than 140 years.
After the fall of imperial China in 1911, the former counties of Qiantang and Renhe merged to form Hang County in 1912. In 1927, the urban part of the county was established as Hangzhou City. On May 3, 1949, Hangzhou was liberated to begin a new page of its development.
[edit] Weather
Current Conditions (2008-08-28 11:00:00, local time)
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Hangzhou |
Temp: 81°F (27°C) |
Hangzhou Weather Forecast
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| Weather averages for Hangzhou | |||||||||||||
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| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| Average high °C (°F) | 8 (46) | 10 (50) | 14 (57) | 20 (68) | 26 (79) | 29 (84) | 33 (91) | 32 (90) | 28 (82) | 23 (73) | 17 (63) | 11 (52) | |
| Average low °C (°F) | 2 (36) | 3 (37) | 7 (45) | 12 (54) | 17 (63) | 22 (72) | 25 (77) | 25 (77) | 21 (70) | 15 (59) | 9 (48) | 4 (39) | |
| Rain mm (inches) | 66 (2.6) | 65 (2.6) | 105 (4.1) | 89 (3.5) | 98 (3.9) | 170 (6.7) | 129 (5.1) | 131 (5.2) | 84 (3.3) | 44 (1.7) | 43 (1.7) | 30 (1.2) | |
| Source: per MSN 2008 | |||||||||||||
[edit] Map
Click here to open Hangzhou map.
[edit] Getting in & Getting out
[edit] By Air
Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport (杭州萧山国际机场) is located on the southern shore of Qiantang River (钱塘江) in the Xiaoshan (萧山) district and is about 30km east of downtown Hangzhou (杭州). The airport primarily services domestic flights with a limited number of international flights to and from Tokyo, Osaka, Singapore, Seoul, and Kuala Lumpur. A convenient route to Hangzhou for foreign visitors is to first fly into Shanghai's Pudong airport, and then take bus to Hangzhou using the Shanghai-Hangzhou-Ningbo Expressway (沪杭甬高速公路). Driving time from the airport to Shanghai is about 2.5 hrs (about 85 RMB one way), Suzhou is about 1.5 hrs, Wuxi is about 2 hrs, Ningbo is about 1.5 hrs and Wenzhou is about 3.5 hrs.
Airport buses leave for Wulin Men (downtown Hangzhou) (15 RMB one way) and Xiaoshan (also 15 RMB one way) every 15-30 minutes. There are also airport buses to prefectures further away near Hangzhou such as Yiwu (30 RMB one way).
[edit] By Train
There are many trains going to or passing Hangzhou from Shanghai. It normally takes about 2 hours from Shanghai (200 km) to Hangzhou by train (Cost is about 40 RMB). There are two train stations in Hangzhou, the New Train Station (the main Train Station, which is inside the city) and the East Hangzhou station.
Trains leaving Hangzhou reach more than 20 cities directly, including Beijing (北京) (1650 km), Shanghai (上海) (200 km), and Xi'an (西安) (1550 km).
Train tickets can be purchased at the Wulinmen Ticket Office (No. 199, Wulin Road) or Huansha Road Ticket Office (No. 147, Huansha Road). The train station inquiry numbers are 0571-8782 9424 (New Train Station) and 0571-8645 0514 (East Train Station).
[edit] By Bus
There are 4 bus stations in Hangzhou: East Bus Station (No. 215, Genshan East Road); South Bus Station (No. 407, Qiutao Road); West Bus Station (No. 89, Tianmushan Road); North Bus Station (No. 758, Moganshan Road). Generally you decide which one to go depending on the direction of your destination. For Shanghai (上海), take the East Bus Station; For Huangshan, buses leave from the West Bus Station; For Nanjing (南京) it's the North Station; For Ningbo (宁波), it will be the South Station.
Buses can often be more comfortable than trains as they leave more often (especially for Shanghai).
[edit] By Ship
There are boat service from Hangzhou to Suzhou (苏州), Wuxi (无锡), and Zhouzhuang through Hangzhou-Beijing Grand Canal. There are overnight ships, but it will be too dark to enjoy the scenery along the Grand Canal.
The boat fare from Hangzhou to Suzhou is anywhere between 70 and 130 RMB depending on the levels.
[edit] Getting Around
[edit] By Public Bus
[edit] By Tour Bus
[edit] By Metro
[edit] By Taxi & Rental Car
[edit] Attractions
Hangzhou is ranked as one of the best tourist cities in China due to its surrounding hills, waterways and numerous beautiful sightseeing locations.
Among some of Hangzhou's state-level natural features are the Fuchun and Xin'an Rivers, Qiandao Lake, Tianmu Hill Preserve, Qingliang Mount Preserve, and Xixi Wetland Park.
Hangzhou has six state-level museums and 120 scenic spots.The city has been named "The Best Tourist City" by the World Tourism Organization and China National Tourism Administration; "The Oriental Leisure City" by the World Leisure Organization; "The 2006 Most Alluring China Scenic Resort" and one of the "2006 Top Ten Festival Cities of China."
» search more Hangzhou attractions...
[edit] Hotels
[edit] Budget
[edit] Mid Range
[edit] Luxury
[edit] Restaurants
Hangzhou's food belongs to Eastern School of Chinese Cuisine. It is predominated by seafood and freshwater fish as the nearby ocean, Yangtze River, numerous lakes and river tributaries provide abundant fish, shrimp, and shellfish to this region. Hangzhou claims Beggar's Chicken (叫花鸡) as it's own. Other notable dishes are quick-fried shredded eel (五香脆鳝), West Lake Fish (西湖脆鱼), and shrimp fried with Longjing tea (龙井虾仁).
Lou Wai Lou (楼外楼) (Tel: 0571-87969023; Fax: 0571-87997264), established in 1848, is the most famous restaurant in Hangzhou. It is at 30 Gushan Road near the Shangri-La, right on the lake on an island off Beishan Road. Lou Wai Lou also has a second establishment called Shan Wai Shan Linyu Restaurant & Bar (山外山林语花园餐厅) (at 6 Lingyin Rd; Tel: 0571 8799 8667) right on the Botanical Gardens.
Zhang Sheng Ji (张生记), Shuangling Road Branch (at 77 Shuanglin Road; Tel: 0571-86026666, 0571-86027777). There truly is no bigger restaurant in Hangzhou than Zhang Sheng Ji. The renowned dishes are the Stewed Duck with Dried Bamboo Shoots, the Drunken Chicken, the Sweet Lotus Roots and the Dates Stuffed with Gluttonous rice.
[edit] Shopping
Hangzhou is famous for its silk products, including silk textiles, silk parasols, satin, brocades. The main shopping areas are at Jiefang Road and Yan'an Road. When shopping at the Hangzhou local market, follow the tips on the Tips On Bargaining article. But when bargaining, do so responsibly and friendly. Have a sense of humor and know when to accept an offer.
- Silk Market (杭州中国丝绸城) on West Jiankang Road (西健康路); Tel: 0571-8510 0255. It's about 20-minute taxi ride from the lake. Silk Market is huge (about 3 blocks long) with silk products from different factories. You may want to first check out the quality and price at the department stores and then shop at the silk market.
- Night Market (吴山夜市) on Renhe Road and Huixing Road (仁和路和惠兴路). You can find a variety of small items and gifts, such as jewelry, pearls, DVDs and counterfeit handbags. You can even have some-hard-to-find movies. Start the bargaining with a low price (asking price can be 2~3 times of what the seller will accept), and get tough but not too tough. Many stalls sell the same stuff, so be prepared to walk away.
- Gaoxin Computer Market (高新电脑城) on 35 Wensan Road (文三路35号); Tel: 0571-5677 2380. Tech geek's paradise. There are hundreds of MP3 players, iPod, cell phones, digital cameras and camcorders, and other computer parts.
- Wulin Shoe Market (武林鞋城) on 171-191 Wulin Road (武林路171-191号). You can find all different kind of shoes cheap here.
- Nine Stars Clothes Market (九星服装市场) on 16 Hanghai Road (杭海路16号); Tel: 0571-8652 2944. Open 9am - 5pm. The nice thing about this place is that there is a big selection of designer label knockoffs. You can even find XXX-Large sizes, because the most of the clothes here were made for export.
- Cheap Furniture Market (文一路便宜家具市场) hehind Wu-Mart, Wenyi Road (文一路物美超市后面). Looking for cheap furniture? This place has it all. Delivery service only costs between 20 and 40RMB, depending on where you want to go.
- Hangzhou Tea Market (杭州副食品茶叶市场) on 18-20 Nanban Lane, Jiefang Road (解放路南班巷18-20号); Tel: 0571-8780 5867. Opens 8am - 5:30am. You can find all different kinds of tea, tea sets, tea tools and plenty of munchies. Green tea is a great gift to your Chinese friends in any occasions. Because of the fame of Longjing tea (龙井茶), fake and low-grade varieties also exist. Buy from a large-size shop if you are not comfortable with your tea-shopping skills.
- Bird and Flower Market (花鸟市场). There are mainly three such markets in Hangzhou. The one ion Wushan Square (吴山花鸟城) is the most refined one (also most expensive). The other two are the Bird and Flower Market on Jichang Road (机场路花鸟市场), and the one on Gucui Road and Wener West Road in the west. There are huge selections of pets, seeds, plants and other accessories, as well as traditional Chinese medicines.
[edit] Night Life & Entertainment
- Maya Bar (玛雅酒吧) opens from noon - 2am. Address: 94 Baishaquan, Shuguang Road (曙光路白沙泉94号); Tel: 0571-8799 7628.
- Shamrock Irish Sports Pub (三叶啤酒屋) opens from 10am -2am. Address: 89 Jiefang Road (Junction of Jiefang Road and Jianguo Road) 解放路89号（解放路与建国路交叉口）; Tel: 0571-8755 5212.
- SOS (风暴) opens from 8pm - 5am. Address: 3/F, Huanglong Hengli Mansion, 5 Huanglong Road (黄龙路5号黄龙恒励大厦3楼); Tel: 0571-5683 6688.
- Paradise Bar/Restaurant (天上人间) opens 11am - 4am. Address: 36 Hubin Road (湖滨路36号); Tel: 0571-8706 2888.
- Club G Plus (金碧辉煌) opens from 7pm - 4am. Address: 6/F, Wahaha Plaza, 169 Qingchun Road (庆春路169号娃哈哈美食娱乐城6-7楼); Tel: 0571-8721 5152.
- JZ Club (黄楼) opens 6:30pm - 2:30am. Address: 6 Liuying Road (Nanshan Road) 柳营路6号(靠南山路); Tel: 0571-8702 8298.
- 7 Club (7号酒吧) opens from 5pm - 2am. Address: 43 Shuguang Road. (曙光路43号); Tel: 0571-8511 5795.
- Babyface (婴孩脸) opens from 7pm - 2am. Address: 150 Shuguang Road (West side of Dragon Stadium) 曙光路150号, (黄龙体育中心西门); Tel: 0571-8775 5777.
- 1828 Bar & Grill (1828酒吧) opens from 6pm - 2am. Address: 262 Nanshan Road (南山路262号); Tel: 0571-8791 9020.
- Top Red Prestige Club (新鼎红尊荣会所) opens from 11am - 3am. Address: 146-2 Nanshan Road (南山路146-2号); Tel: 0571-8779 1168.
- Reggae Bar (黑根酒吧) opens from 7pm - 3am. Address: 95 Shuguang Road (曙光路95号); Tel: 0571-8796 1587.
- Hooters (美国猫头鹰餐厅) opens from 9:30am - 2am. Address: 217 West Lake Avenue (西湖大道217号); Tel: 0571-8780 3740.
